Former news editor of an English language daily in Bahrain. Journalist. Columnist. Blogger. Educated and raised in Bahrain. Interests include writing, the arts and human rights.
Latest posts by Amira Al Hussaini from November, 2012
Egyptians Want to Overthrow Mursolini
Egyptians are back at the epi-centre of the Egyptian revolution, in Tahrir Square, in downtown Cairo, where they are protesting sweeping powers their newly elected president Mohamed Mursi has granted himself. They include a rushed draft constitution announced today (Nov 30, 2012), penned by an Islamist-led assembly, which has new Islamic references to Egypt's system of government as well as clauses which infringe on women's rights and freedom of speech.
Is the Saudi Government Monitoring Women?
Is the Saudi government monitoring women? Blogger Ahmed Al Omran tells us how it is done. He adds: The problem is not that there is now an electronic system that sends an SMS when women travel. Some people might actually want this service. The problem is that the government is...
From Ramallah to Gaza: A Tearful Reunion
From Ramallah to Gaza, Linah Alsaafin had to travel through two countries – and two continents – for a tearful reunion with her grandmother. Read her account here.
Syria: Time for a Frank Dialogue
Syrian blogger Maysaloon calls for a frank dialogue on Syria. He writes: What needs to happen now, and not when Assad falls, is frank dialogue with all – whether they are Islamists, Free Syrian Army, Jabhat al Nusra, the Kurds, whoever it may be, about core principles. For the sake...
Syria Protest Videos Online Despite Internet Cut
With the Internet cut across Syria, videos of protests are still finding their way online. On Twitter, Hivos reports: @Hivos: While #internetcutinsyria @ANA_Feed continues to bring the news: video from large demonstrations today in Aleppo: http://ow.ly/fHVhx
Palestine Gets “Symbolic” Upgrade at the UN
The upgrade of Palestine from an "entity" to a "non-member state" at the United Nations received a lukewarm reaction from netizens - who asked what a 'symbolic' gesture like recognising Palestine at the United Nations would do to Palestinians, particularly those living under Israeli occupation and refugees.
Are Communications in Damascus Down?
Syrian blogger Razan Ghazzawi has raised the alert of a possible Internet cut in the capital Damascus, where she reports that the phone services are also down. She tweets: @RedRazan: Two hours ago the #internet was cut at least in most neighborhoods in #Damascus. This is troubling news. #Syria And...
ElBaradei to Egyptian Protestors: Hold Your Ground
Egyptian Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei has called on Egyptians to hold their ground in protest squares across the country – on Twitter.
Life Sentence for Qatari Poet for Insulting Amir
The poem is said to praise the Arab Spring, drawing comparisons to other countries living in repression and under dictatorship. According to Qatari journalist Abdulla Al Athbah, Al-Deeb's poem was seen as insulting to the Qatari Amir, and called for overthrowing his rule.
Algerian Rulers and Contemporary Performance Arts
Algerian blogger MnarviDZ writes: The Algerian rulers are actually artists who invented the art of time stretching and we, the Algerian people, are all taking part in their performance. And as contemporary art doesn’t care much about beauty, happiness and stuff like this, the rulers chose to make their performance...
Kuwait: Who is Dumping Garbage Outside My Home?
Mark from Kuwait complains about an empty plot of land behind his home is being turned into a garbage dump.
Time for Civil Rule in Mauritania
Mauritanian blogger Ahmed Jedou calls [ar] says it is high time his country had civil rule. He blogs: “Today it is obvious that the military look at us as if we are a ball they are playing with. Our war should be for the establishment of a civil state which...
Egyptians Back on the Street
Greek blogger Asteris Masouras uses Storify to compile reactions to protests against president Mohamed Morsi in Egypt's iconic Tahrir Square.
Only Citizens Fall in Iraq's Car Bombings
Around 29 people were killed and 126 injured in eight car bombings in Iraq today [Nov 27, 2012]. Iraqi blogger Wamith comments [ar]: @wamith: Many citizens fall but no one from the government falls in the Iraq bombings
Has Morsi Pulled a Mubarak and Cut the Internet Off Tahrir Square?
Egyptian netizens are reporting Internet cuts around Tahrir Square, the epi-centre of the Egyptian revolution while others are saying it in working fine. If the Internet is being disrupted by the authorities, it brings to mind what happened on the second day of the start of the Egyptian revolution, when access to the Internet was cut off in Egypt on January 26, 2011.
Celebratory Gunfire marks Israel and Gaza Ceasefire
A truce has been reached between Israel and Hamas, ending a week of fighting which cost the lives of at least 155 Palestinians and five Israelis.